CAR parking fees are set to rise in North Devon to bring in an extra £350,000 income for the district council.

But a move to increase charges at the Sheep Pen in South Molton, where the all-day rate was proposed to go up by £11.50, have been rejected.

North Devon Council’s strategy and resources committee supported a 10p increase to £1.40 for an hour-long stay in its town centre car parks and £1.60 in coastal car parks.

This is still 10p cheaper than car parks in neighbouring Torridge, the committee was told.

Long-stay car park fees are also set to rise from 60p to 70p an hour, with the all-day charge rising from £2.50 to £3.50.

Other changes include scrapping the 50p per hour charge after 2pm in Barnstaple’s Green Lanes shopping centre.

Motorists will now pay £1.40 per hour here in line with other town centre car parks in the district.

And annual permits in long-stay car parks will increase from £225 to £300, except for the new Seven Brethren car park in Barnstaple, which will be £225 to incentivise use.

A special exception will be made for the Sheep Pen car park at South Molton which despite being close to shops and expected to incur the short-stay fees of £1.40 per hour and £14 for 10 hours it will be 70p per hour and £3.50 per day.

Deputy chief executive and director of resources Jon Triggs said the council faces budget pressures and although the use of the car parks could be volatile, the expectation is that the rises would bring in an extra £350,000 a year. The largest amount would come from permits.

The new charges are expected to take effect from Tuesday, April 1.

Alison Stephenson